So, after a rather lengthy drought at stores, the new action figures associated to the Avengers Assemble cartoon are finally trickling down at my usual jaunts.

Even though full sets were available the first day, there are only a few characters that really piqued my interest, chief among them this “new” versión of Captain America’s archnemesis, Johann Schmidt, a.k.a the Red Skull.

Of course, Hasbro doen’t just call him Red Skull, but Cosmic Strike Red Skull, but regardless, Herr Schmidt here is basically a repaint of the Red Skull figure we got with the Captain America: The First Avenger movie line, although the head is a completely new sculpt and this time around Red Skull comes with some really cool accessories.

First things first, the level of detail on Red Skull is very good. The uniform looks really sharp in black and the new head has a definite comic book style, although not as cartoony as the head from the SDCC 2009 exclusive. Articulation remains the same as it was on the previous release of this buck, consisting of:

• Ball jointed neck.

• Pegged hinge shoulders.

• Pegged hinge elbows.

• Swivel wrists.

• Swivel waist.

• Pegged hinge hips.

• Upper thigh swivels.

• Double hinged knees.

The upper torso articulation works admirably well, and even though the combination of a short rubber skirt piece with these kind of hip joints makes it somewhat difficult to take full advantage of the movement range, Red Skull can achieve a reasonable amount of dynamic poses, despite lacking ankle articulation.

The paintjob is truly excellent, with a nice shading wash applied to the head and shiny black paint on the boots and gloves. Small details like buttons and the belt buckle were painted in bright gold, matching the Hydra crest sculpted at the front of the included officer’s cap.

The hat would easily be my favorite accessory, were it not for the black trenchcoat also included for Herr Schmidt. This accessory is the very same mold used a few years ago for Arnold Toth, from the lost wave of Indiana Jones action figures which got released as SDCC exclusives. It is a really nice piece done in a high gloss finish and a few golden buttons painted on.

The only small disappointment comes from the weaponry department. Red Skull comes armed with a large, spring-loaded projectile launcher that apparently provides the cosmic striking capability.

The device is made from silver plastic and lacks a proper handle, although the figure can be made to hold the weapon in two hands even with the heavy, oddly shaped projectile inserted in.

A couple of these projectile pieces were included, made from a nicer-looking translucent plastic with a yellow-to-orange gradient on them. The shape doesn’t do a lot to improve the aerodynamics of the thing, but it shoots a good foot, foot and a half away, and is heavy enough to topple an action figure at that range.

It would have been great if Hasbro had included a small pistol with this figure, but nevertheless this Red Skull is a really great version to have.

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Comments (3)

Reminds me of the Target 2 pack Red Skull but with a hat and a trench coat! Shouldn’t be too difficult to find a luger either in my parts bin or from Marauder, maybe even a riding crop to round it out. Great review!

I’ve found that the pistol(I’m guessing it’s a Mauser, I’m no expert on firearms.) included with the ROTLA Indiana Jones looks pretty good. It does take a bit of effort for him to hold it, but it’s 1940’s era, so Golden Age Red Skull could concievably have one.

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